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Clingmans Dome

Fodor's Review

At an elevation of more than 6,600 feet, this is the third-highest peak east of the Rockies, only a few feet shorter than the tallest, Mt. Mitchell. From the parking lot (where there are restrooms) at the end of Clingmans Dome Road, walk up a paved, but steep, ½-mi trail to an observation tower offering 360-degree views from the "top of Old Smoky." There's also a small visitor contact center and bookshop(open April-November). Temperatures here are usually 10-15°F lower

than at the entrance to the park near Cherokee or Gatlinburg. Clingmans Dome Road is closed to vehicular traffic in winter, but if there's snow on the ground you can put on your snowshoes and hike up to the peak.